The dentists we spoke to expressed a preference for metal — either medical-grade steel or copper — over plastic, as they can be thoroughly sanitized. “You want to make sure you use a properly designed tongue cleanser and avoid using ones that have sharp edges,” says Harris.
Indeed, studies suggest that tongue scraping can remove bacteria and improve bad breath more than brushing. Tongue scraping devices made from plastic, copper or stainless steel are available at most drug stores and generally cost under $10.
Though there's no harm in adding tongue scraping to your routine, it isn't necessary for good dental hygiene, according to the American Dental Association. The ADA's basic pillars of good dental hygiene remain the same: Brush at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
Side effects
Tongue cleaning can cause discomfort. Improper use of a tongue cleaner may induce the gag reflex and/or vomiting. Overuse of a tongue cleaner may also cause damage to the taste buds. Some people have inappropriately used the tongue cleaner to scrape or brush the lingual tonsils (tongue tonsils).
You should scrape your tongue once a day, and most experts recommend that you do it after brushing either in the morning or evening.
Tongue scrapers can benefit your health and assist you with getting that immaculate feel, however, they can damage your taste buds if you do it excessively hard.
It should not hurt or damage your tongue. If it does hurt, less pressure should be used. There is no evidence however that brushing or tongue scraping will prevent bad breath or halitosis. The bacteria that causes you to have bad breath can come back right after you remove it.
Dental researches suggest that scraping your tongue twice a day improves your sense of taste by helping you distinguish salty, bitter, sweet, and sour sensations more effectively. Gives your tongue a cleaner appearance. When excess debris accumulates on your tongue, it appears white.
Brushing and rinsing alone only remove the outer layer of bacteria, but the cells beneath it still thrive. In fact, a study found that tongue scrapers can remove up to 79% more bacteria than brushing alone! Tongue scrapers remove Mutans streptococci and Lactobacilli, which can cause bad breath and dental decay.
A stainless steel or copper tongue scraper should be part of your twice-daily dental hygiene practice. It will safely and effectively clean your tongue — helping to reduce bad breath, remove bacteria, improve your taste and jump start digestion.
White tongue is the result of an overgrowth and swelling of the fingerlike projections (papillae) on the surface of your tongue. The appearance of a white coating is caused by debris, bacteria and dead cells getting lodged between the enlarged and sometimes inflamed papillae.
Not necessarily. Often, a white tongue means you should focus on your oral hygiene or overall health. For example, it may mean that you need to brush and floss more regularly and steer clear of tobacco and alcohol. Still, a white tongue may signal a yeast or bacterial infection.
So when you scrape your tongue after brushing, you allow the bacteria-fighting ingredients of our natural toothpaste to enter these spaces and begin cleaning. Then, you can use your tongue scraper to wipe away remaining food particles, residue, and bacteria for a deeper clean.
While one of the objectives of tongue scraping is to keep papillae clear of any debris, pressing too hard can damage these delicate taste buds. If you apply too much pressure on the scraper, you'll damage your papillae over time. Avoiding damage is as simple as correcting the pressure you apply when tongue scraping.
The immediate effect of using a tongue scraper is quite noticeable. After just one use, you will likely experience a cleaner and fresher feeling in your mouth. The removal of excess bacteria and debris can instantly improve bad breath, which is often caused by the accumulation of foul-smelling substances on the tongue.
A scraper is an easy and quick way to clean your tongue! After cleaning your tongue with either a scraper or toothbrush, check your tongue in a mirror. If it is pink and fresh looking, that means you cleaned it properly. However, if you notice a white or yellowish discoloration, clean it a few more times!
Yellow tongue usually occurs as a result of a harmless buildup of dead skin cells on the tiny projections (papillae) on the surface of your tongue. Most commonly this occurs when your papillae become enlarged and bacteria in your mouth produce colored pigments.
If tongue scraping causes pain or bleeding, the person should stop using the scraper. They might be using it with too much force, or there may be uneven edges on the scraper that could be injuring the tongue. It is important to avoid placing the scraper too far back on the tongue, as this can activate the gag reflex.
Conclusion: Metal tongue scrapers win
Ultimately, metal tongue scrapers are the better choice for your oral care, health and the planet. If you're on the market for one, consider choosing our stainless steel tongue cleaner. It got thick durable handles, a U-shape and comes to you completely plastic-free!
Stainless steel doesn't wear out and is impervious to bacteria (unlike plastic). We believe the U-shaped design is best as it can easily clean the back of the tongue, where most bacteria reside.
Copper is naturally anti-microbial and anti-bacterial, plus it provides vital enzymes that promote the survival of good bacteria and other important microbes in your mouth which is why it is the ultimate material. Silver and stainless steel are also ofter preferred materials for a tongue scraper.
Using mouthwash after scraping will improve your oral health a lot. After scraping your tongue, you expose and agitate all the bacteria stored there. Now, the scraper will help with getting rid of most of that gunk. And using mouthwash can help you wash away whatever is left, and help with your bad breath problem.